OS Step-Brothers Felix Harper (RPH, 15-17) and OS Will Civil (PP, WH, CH, 03-17) are embarking on an incredible endurance challenge, running from London to Paris to support Bowel Cancer UK—a cause deeply personal to them. These dedicated College and OS rugby players are channeling the same determination and resilience they’ve shown on the rugby pitch into this grueling endurance test which gets underway in just a matter of weeks.

Already with over 922 training miles between them under their belts, and despite injuries and ilness along the way, Will & Felix are focused on hitting the 1000 training mile point before the commence the challenge in early April. 

Felix shares why their families have set themselves this incredible endurance task:

'In 2019 our Dad, Stepdad, Husband and friend, David Civil,  was unfortunately diagnosed with bowel cancer. Since then, our family has experienced a whole host of emotional ups and downs. We decided to not let this beat us and instead to channel our emotions into something positive. As a result, the idea for this challenge was born.

Tragically, on 1st January 2025, David lost his fight. His passing makes our mission more important than ever. 

In April William Civil and myself will be running to Paris over the course of 7 days, a journey equivalent to running a marathon every day. On the 8th day we will then be joined by friends and family (including Old Stortfordians Lily Civil (PP,WH,BH, 00-13), Rosie Civil (PP,WH,BH, 06-20) and Ines Harper (TrH, 17-19) to finish the challenge by running the Paris marathon as a family on April 13, 2025. Altogether, this effort will cover a distance of 346 km with Lily, Rosie and Ines tackling their first ever marathons to achive this goal.

We hugely appreciate the support of the OS community and are thankful for any donations, no matter the amount to try and help us reach our fundraising target - JustGiving Page'